Community Forums

Robert T · 11-27-2020, 09:05 AM

I have a 2017 Ventana LE 4037 which has the Cummins "B"360 HP/ 800 torque which is underpowered for this coach.

I had concerns when I purchased this coach but still did purchase as the price was a deal I could not refuse. I purchased from a friend of 50 years weeks before he passed away from cancer. He wanted me to have the coach at a price of 52 grand below book and still below wholesale offers from dealers.

I like the coach BUT way underpowered on steep grades must be avoided and long small grades struggles. Last winter in Big Bend NP wanted to go to Big Bend Ranch State Park. The shortest route was ST RT 170 BUT there was a 15 % grade for a mile. I was told no way will the coach pull this grade even if I disconnected the toad. Another RVer with an "L" series 450 HP 1150 torque did take his 40 ft coach with toad and just made it at a top speed of 25 mph.

Can this engine be bumped and at what cost? Will the cooling be compromised, the integrity is compromised, and adversely affect fuel mileage.

Would it just be best to just leave it alone and just accept the fact that slow on hills?

wjohnson913 · 11-27-2020, 09:19 AM

I believe your coach has the Allison 3000. If so check out the tuners from PDI Diesel in Saint George Utah. 2300 bucks but they are having a Black Friday sale.
They are “plug and play” and offer a noticeable power increase.

Ljwt330 · 11-27-2020, 11:17 AM

Cummins increased the potential horsepower and torque of the ISB for 2019. Your 2017 coach, which may have a 2016 or even a 2015 engine, is very near the max tuning. I could not find motorhome applications, but your year engine tops out a 370/800, or possibly 385/900, but with a specific transmission. These specs were for pickup trucks.

Point being, you will have a limit on how much tuning can be done, based on the engine itself and the transmission attached. It may not be worth the cost in the performance improvement.

Suggest you contact Cummins and ask the max increase you can tune your engine/transmission, if you are serious. Have your engine serial number ready.

Alpine36 · 11-27-2020, 11:33 AM

Agreed, 360hp/800 is close to max hp/torque on a B Series.
The good news is you get a little better fuel economy on the flats.
Like my dad always preached, nothing beats cubic inch displacement for hp and torque. Everything has a trade off, slow down and enjoy the scenery. Just my .02c, I probably wouldn't waste my hard earned money on a possible 15hp tweek. You likely won't even notice the difference.

Ray,IN · 11-28-2020, 12:18 AM

Accept it is what it is and relax. This advice and $3 will get you a cup of coffee most anywhere.
Any HP modification will have negative ramifications in the future.

Fiesta48 · 11-28-2020, 12:13 PM

I know that very steep incline along the Rio Grande well.
Just keep down shifting going uphill. 1st or 2nd gear will pull the hill. It's only 1-2 miles long.
That is undoughtably one of the most scenic out of the way roads in America.
Going downhill is more of a challenge. Start out at 5mph at the top. Use your exhaust brake for sure. Dont ride the brakes.

sanda · 11-28-2020, 04:01 PM

How many semi's do you see going up a mountain at 50 mph. With the torque you have it should pull you up any highway grade. Cant expect it to run like a corvette because it isn't one.

deandec · 12-03-2020, 07:34 PM

My old rig has 850 lbs torque.

Pulling a Jeep GC at 4,500 lbs and being 31,000 lbs itself it has yet to fail a single grade climb on the West Coast US and Canada..

35 mph is usually the speed going up steep and long grades.

deandec · 12-03-2020, 07:34 PM

My old rig has 860 ft lbs torque.

Pulling a Jeep GC at 4,500 lbs and being 31,000 lbs itself it has yet to fail a single grade climb on the West Coast US and Canada..

35 mph is usually the speed going up steep and long grades.

I have yet to read about any DP not reaching the top due to lack of torque.

txcpl · 12-04-2020, 05:34 AM

Our coach has a 340 hp with Allison 2500. It gets me where I need to go, sometimes not as fast as a Harley would, but I get to see the view and enjoy it longer on the drive through.

Chrome · 12-06-2020, 10:32 PM

If the coach is fine on the flats and I'm sure it is then don't worry about going up hill fast.
Usually a coach with that size engine will give good mpg. Enjoy the ride and the sights along the way.
My coach is not as fast as my Corvette, but then it does have more hp.

basketball · 12-08-2020, 11:11 AM

I would check out the cooling fan. Check out the cooling fan and H.P. needed to drive it. I am sure on that grade your cooling fan will be full speed. Could have a Horton clutch fan with a OEM fan blade. When pulling grades fan will be running full speed. H.P. used to cool is about 35HP. Multiwing fan uses about 15HP. Contact Larry , great people and filled with knowledge. lbrudzynski@superiorturbo.com

Ohio44718 · 12-17-2020, 08:35 AM

I also do not have an abundance of reserve power in my rig. If you are not manually downshifting, I would suggest learning how and when. When going up hills, I will override the transmission and downshift before I loose too many RPMs to keep it in the peak torque area. Definitely helps with the engine heat too. Unless I mess up, can always keep up or pass semis.